ENGLAND DEBUTANTS LOSE 2-0 TO GERMANY

by Pat Rowley (9.5.2009)

England, playing their first international since the European Cup in 2007 and with five players making their test debuts, were beaten 2-0 by
Germany in the first of two week-end internationals against the Olympic and World champions in Nuremburg.

Midfielder Christoph Menke scored a goal in each half for the Germans.

Menke followed up a save by James Fair in the England goal to give his side a 14th minute lead.

He added his second five minutes into the second half with a deflection high into the England goal from the top of the circle.

England forced five corners, four more than Germany, but could not convert any of them and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty stroke
late on when James Tindall’s stick was taken as he was about to shoot.

England gave first caps to Adam Dixon, Simon Egerton, Dan Fox, Ian Mackay and 21-year old Richard Smith.

England’s Under 18 team completed an impressive double over their Welsh counterparts at Nottingham Highfields, winning their second match 5-0 following a 4-0 success on Friday evening.

England’s side is in preparation for the European Youth Nations Championship in Belgium in early July and displayed fine teamwork.

All England’s goals in the 5-0 win came in the second half.

Whitgift schoolboy Aathavan Lingeswaran gave England the lead from a 40th minute corner and further goals were added by Andrew Bull (Brooklands), Dave Devey (Bromsgrove School), Harry Martin (Old Loughtonians) and Nick Bandurak (Cannock).

Wales were awarded six corners but could not convert any of them.

Pakistan were held to a 1-1 draw by China in the opening match of the Asia Cup in Malaysia. They were saved from defeat by a goal 30 seconds from time by Akhtar Ali.

Pakistan will now almost certainly have to beat Cup champions India in their second and final group match today if they are to have a chance
of winning the Cup and qualifying automatically for next year’s World Cup.

copy for Sunday Express 10.5.2009